Media controversy about elite arts institutions around the world has done significant damage to the standing of arts philanthropy and philanthropy in general. Yet artistic endeavour depends on philanthropic support to sustain not just itself but a vibrant civil society.
This panel will explore the value of philanthropic support of the arts, and how a new generation of philanthropists can support arts in all their forms to enhance democracy and ensure that creative expression is possible for all parts of society.
On the agenda:
- Can giving to the arts ever be politically neutral?
- Can philanthropy do more to enhance access to, and advance social justice through, arts institutions?
- Can philanthropy do more to support social protest movements through art?
- Is arts philanthropy too elitist?
- Conversely, where would the arts be without elite institutions?
- How much damage has coverage of high-profile controversial arts donors done to arts philanthropy?
- Can philanthropy play a role in getting certain international arts institutions to repay their colonial debts?
- Is it better for philanthropy to fund artistic endeavours and institutions, and for government to fund welfare?
Rachel Stephenson Sheff, Managing Director of I.G. Advisors, will be joined by:
- Sir Simon Robey, Honorary Vice President, Royal Opera House and Chair Designate, Royal Academy of Music
- Jenny Waldman, Director, Art Fund
- Shoubhik Bandopadhyay, Head of Programme – Arts, Paul Hamlyn Foundation